Sunland Park man dies after mobile home catches fire

A 61-year-old Sunland Park man died when his mobile home caught on fire this morning. (Ruben R Ramirez / El Paso Times)

SUNLAND PARK -- A 61-year-old man died Thursday morning in home fire that might have been started by a stove he was using for heat, officials said.

Sunland Park Police Department Sgt. Javier Diaz said investigators think that Manuel Alvarado was using his stove to heat his mobile home.

The final report on the fire investigation has not been completed, Diaz said.

The Sunland Park Fire Department received a call about 7:55 a.m. from a neighbor in the 100 block of Maple Court.

By the time firefighters arrived, the house was engulfed in flames, Diaz said.

At times, the flames became so large that firefighters from El Paso, Vinton, Doña Ana and Santa Teresa were called to help, Diaz said.

REPORTER

Aaron Bracamontes

"We had to be careful because the houses in this neighborhood are so close together," Diaz said. "One of the neighbors' houses suffered some smoke damage."

Alvarado's family arrived at the scene and wanted to run into the house, Diaz said.

Once the fire was under control, Alvarado's family stood in the front yard of the home of Rick Ramirez, 33, while firefighters cut holes in the roof.

Some of Alvarado's seven children cried and hugged one another as puffs of smoke came out of the burned house.

They did not want to discuss the fire.

Ramirez said it was difficult for Alvarado's children to watch their house go up in flames.

"They were a very close family," Ramirez said. "They all live in the area. They are taking it very hard."

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Alvarado, a former mechanic, had seven children who either graduated from or are still attending Santa Teresa High School, Ramirez said.

Ramirez said he grew up next door to the family and has lived in his home for about 20 years.

"I was scared, shocked and sad to see the fire," Ramirez said. "I guess everyone here was disappointed (to hear about Alvarado's death). The whole neighborhood was sad because we try to look out for each other."

Aaron Bracamontes may be reached at abracamontes@elpasotimes.com; 546-6156. Follow him on Twitter @AaronBrac